Houthis Push for Strategic Heights in Yemen as US Strikes Reportedly Called Off

Sanaa, Yemen. Houthi fighters moved on Monday to seize strategic highlands in Yemen, seeking to cut the Red Sea coast from areas still held by Saudi-backed forces. The advance came after a report that US President Donald Trump had called off planned strikes against the group.

Reported US strike plans

The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had prepared airstrikes against the Houthis on Sunday following renewed requests from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to the newspaper, Trump cancelled the operation at the last minute while troops were loading bombs onto aircraft. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

US Central Command referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Saudi request for support

Rashid al-Alimi, the Riyadh-based president of Yemen’s Saudi-backed internationally recognised government, requested US military assistance during a telephone call with Trump on Sunday, four sources told Reuters.

Two sources, one Yemeni and one Western, said Trump made no direct commitment of support during the call.

The United States has so far rejected repeated requests from the Saudi crown prince to join the fighting in Yemen.

Regional military response

The Iran-backed Houthis have made a rapid advance this month, extending the wider Middle East conflict into Yemen and increasing threats to global energy supplies.

The group, which has controlled Yemen’s capital since 2014, seized the country’s Red Sea coast this month, routing forces aligned with the Saudi-backed government.

Saudi Arabia has carried out hundreds of strikes in recent days against Houthi positions in Yemen’s highlands, according to the Houthis.

Strikes near Riyadh and foreign assistance

Explosions were heard and smoke was seen near Riyadh airport on Saturday, in what appeared to be the first strike on the Saudi capital since the escalation began. The Houthis said they had fired missiles at Riyadh, while Saudi authorities have not commented.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that he had agreed to Saudi Arabia’s request to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for a limited period, describing the move as an effort to stabilise the wider region.

A French diplomatic source said Paris was prepared to help secure Saudi energy infrastructure in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast and along the East-West pipeline corridor.